Baseline Study Report

2.1 Agriculture Sector

The agricultural sector plays an important role in the overall economy of Kenya. Currently, the sector directly contributes about 26% of the GDP and an additional 25% through linkages with the manufacturing, distribution and service sectors. The growing problem of food and nutrition insecurity in Kenya is linked to the slow growth of agricultural production. Kenya has about 75% of its population residing in rural areas where agriculture dominates.

Over 80 percent of the population in Tana River rely on agriculture - both crop and livestock production - for their food and income. Crop production is the main economic activity in the mixed farming and marginal mixed farming livelihood zones contributing to 50 percent of household income. The arable area in the county is 2,547 Km2, out of which only 14,590 hectares is under crop production (food crop production - 7,527 hectares; cash crop production - 7,063 hectares). The average farm size being 0.71 ha. Farmers in the county mainly rely on rain-fed and flood recession farming systems.

Tana River County is endowed with great irrigation potential. The areas with irrigation potential in the County range between 180,000ha - 200,000ha, out of which only 2% has been put under irrigation development. On the other hand, about 10% of the exploited potential is under the large-scale irrigation schemes (Bura, Hola and Tana Delta). Out of all the areas identified and developed for irrigation, only about 50% is under effective and efficient irrigation agriculture.

2.2 Livestock

Livestock plays an important economic and socio-cultural role among the pastoral community members - the Orma, Borana, Wardei and Somali. Livestock contributes to food and cash needs, and provide employment to over 90% of pastoralist households. The pastoralists depend on indigenous Boran beef cattle, Black Head Persian sheep and Galla goats, camels, bee keeping and poultry production. The Tanaland Boran breed of beef cattle is trypanotolerant and can withstand harsh climatic conditions experienced in the County.

The County has seven ranches - Wachu-30,725ha, Kibusu-25,000ha, Haganda-12,000ha, Kitangale-20,000ha, Idasa Godana-51,000ha, Giritu-43,340ha and Kondertu-20,000ha. Out of the seven ranches only Idasa Godana ranch is active with about 10% of the area being exploited. Efforts are in progress to improve the livestock marketing channels and also initiate a modern abattoir for value addition of beef, and for a hides and skins tannery.

2.3 Agricultural Extension Services

Extension services play a key role in agriculture development, however the County has only 27 field extension officers to cover 31,055 farmers spread in 15 Wards in 3 Subcounties. This gives a staff to farmer ratio of 1:817 which is lower than the ideal 1:400. There is urgent need to recruit more personnel in this field so as to increase the ratio and also replace those staff who due to ageing have left or are leaving the service in the next five years. 65% of the current extension staff are beyond the age of 50.

2.4 Fishing

The main types of fish produced in the County include Tuna, Catfish and Rabbitfish (marine species), Tilapia, and Synodontis. There are three landing sites - namely Chara, Ozi and Kipini - with the main fishing gear being traps, fishing nets, hooks/lines, fishing boats and marine seine nets. There is potential for fish farming as was demonstrated by the Economic Stimulus Project where 900 fish ponds were established across the county.

2.5 Trade Sub sector

The sub sector is responsible for the growth of MSMEs; promotion of fair-trade practices; promoting local industry and the Jua Kali sector for employment creation and skills transfer; promoting sustainable tourism and development of tourism products within the county; promotion and support of cooperative societies; and carrying out inspections and compliance audits for existing cooperative societies.

Some of the key achievements made by the Departments include: Improved market infrastructure by constructing the Garsen Market and renovating the Bura Market and the jua kali sheds in Hola and Garsen towns; Facilitated the licensing of 100 enterprises; Trained 50 youth on entrepreneurship skills, access to Government procurement opportunities, drug abuse and effects of Covid-19; Established Inuka Fund with its Act, regulations and a Board; Collaboration with state and non-state actors such as MESPT, GAA, PGI and others.

4.1 Gender of Respondents

Out of 886 respondents 53% were males while 47% were females. Our analysis reveals that 62% of male respondents were more willing to participate in focus group discussions than females. Furthermore, most focus group discussions were attended by more males than females. However, females were more comfortable sharing their views in focus groups where women were the majority. Due to cultural reasons, female youths were more willing to express themselves as individuals and not in a focus group setting.

4.2 Respondents by Wards

Out of the data collected, 7% was from Hirimani Ward, while majority of the Wards were at 6%. The least amount of data was collected from Kipini East and Mikinduni Wards.

4.3 Youth Income Generation Activities

In all the Wards, youth are engaged in boda boda business, charcoal production and farming. We also found that the youths operate in groups. Therefore, these youth groups can be good starting point for any intervention to address climate sensitive development.

Examples by ward include: Boda boda, farming (green grams, maize, watermelon, indigenous vegetables, onions, tomatoes, beans), poultry farming, retail stores, fishing, bee keeping, tailoring, tent and chairs hire, sand harvesting, block making, masonry, performing arts, and kiosk businesses.

4.4 Needs of Youth in the 15 Wards

In most Wards, the young people seem to know the importance of capacity building in the form of technical skills, entrepreneurship training, mentorship, access to markets, access to finance and farming including tree planting. However, they complained about the lack of guidance, mentors, capital and support to actualize their dreams.

4.5 Village Clusters

The County Government had proposed a number of Villages Clusters (urban centres) in the urbanization program to resettle people based on the functioning element of that specific village. Urban model villages will alter the spatial configuration of the settlements, affecting hydrology systems, biodiversity and the economic and technological factors that affect livelihoods.

Some of the anticipated benefits of Village Clusters include: Housing and urbanization, Water and energy, Education, Ultra-modern schools, Vocational Training Centres, Youth Empowerment and Innovation Centres, Lands, Planning and GIS, Green spaces, Tourism, and Knowledge hubs.

4.5.2 Awareness of Village Clusters

Youths from more than half of the Wards are aware of Village Clusters and their importance; however, most of them reported lack of public participation, and involvement of youth in the planning and implementation of the project. Although Village Clusters is a long-term project, youth stand to benefit. Therefore, the project should consider involving youth in the planning and implementation of the Village Clusters.

4.5.3 Attitude towards Village Clusters

Discussions with both youth and adults on Village Clusters revealed that majority of youth support the concept as they can easily relate with potential benefits to be derived. The adults mostly above 60 years were generally opposed to the idea of Village Clusters. Some of their reasoning include: Village Clusters are far from their farms forcing them to walk long distances; lack of funds to construct new houses; fear of losing their land along the river delta; and existing Village Clusters lack basic facilities like toilets, proper housing, schools, hospitals and shopping centres.

7.0 Gender Dynamics

In some youth engagement forums, there was little or no representation and/or participation from young women. We learned that for those who are married, they are forced to seek permission from their spouses which is not always guaranteed; others are not easily allowed to venture out by their parents. There are also gender-related barriers to participation in TVET institutions for married young women who would wish to enroll for classes, but are unable to owing to childcare and domestic responsibilities since the TVET programs are not flexible enough.

Early marriages and teenage pregnancies contribute to low enrollment in VTCs in the County. Early marriages are being addressed by different agencies working in the County.

8.0 Water

The idea of harnessing trees to solve the climate crisis was quite appealing to the youth because trees and forests absorb carbon dioxide which is crucial in slowing global heating. However, they complained about the lack of water especially in Tana North Subcounty. Intervention that address climate sensitive development should take into consideration access to water by youth groups.

9.0 Multi-Sectoral Approach

Climate sensitive development program in Tana River County requires multi-stakeholder approach where stakeholders align and collectively learn, innovate and act together. It should be inclusive, participatory, with all voices being heard, and that conflicts between stakeholders are worked on, as opposed to ignored or downplayed. UNDP should take the lead in bringing stakeholders together for a common cause.

10.0 Forestry and Agroforestry

Through the baseline survey finding we observed that majority of youth are engaged in charcoal trade. This has a great impact on the climate because the County has a range of building products that include poles, posts and timber, herbal medicine used on subsistence and commercial level, and supports the building of cottage industries.

In Tana River, there are a lot of opportunities to involve youth in areas such as in agroforestry, irrigation, fish farming, and in developing apps for climate information services. Building capacity of youth to establish and strengthen viable business and entrepreneurship models in the forestry and agroforestry value chains will create employment and sustainable livelihoods.

11.0 Gender Dimension in Agroforestry

Men and women often have different objectives when they plant trees: men are more interested in trees for commercial purposes, and reserve higher value products for themselves, while women usually use tree products for their families’ livelihood. Women are attracted to agroforestry because of the substantial benefits it provides, in terms of food, fuelwood, fodder and other products and services.

12.0 Access to Markets

Markets provide youth with the opportunity to generate income, contributing to unemployment, food production and reduction in poverty. Youth will need sustainable access to markets for trees and tree products to increase productivity and incomes. YEIC can offer marketing and mentoring programs to equip youth with marketing knowledge, skills and competencies.

13.0 Supportive Environment

Creation of a supporting environment for youth entrepreneurship requires collaboration between all the stakeholders of the ecosystem. The dynamic interaction among stakeholders is key for the success of the project. Therefore, UNDP should take the role of formal or informal coordinator of these actors.

Conclusion and Recommendations

The proposed Village Clusters will address directly poverty reduction, social inclusion, though the characteristics and the functions of the Clusters themselves recognize their capabilities to further local economies, reduce vulnerability of particular economic sectors and bring about advantages for local business, institutions and access to infrastructure facilities.

The Village Cluster concept is a proof that effective solutions often require different parts of Government to collaborate with development partners for the community to benefit. The County Government should build the pilot cluster of Hamdampia to completion with all the necessary infrastructure. This will not only demonstrate commitment, but motivate and inspire the population to move to Village Clusters with confidence.

To promote climate-sensitive development through agroforestry programs:

• Choose stable youth groups in every Ward
• Involve youth groups in designing the program
• Make capacity building a key component of the support program
• Incorporate online agricultural extension services through mobile phones
• Provide youth with access to funds e.g Inuka Fund, County loans
• Landowners/parents should be partners in the business
• Use existing partners with experience in agroforestry
• Recognize and reward performing youth groups